Fatal collision - Metropolitan Police Service, July 2017

Shortly after 1am on 16 July 2017, members of the public alerted the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to alleged criminal offences being committed by young men on mopeds in the area of Streatham, south London.

A police helicopter later observed three young men on a moped on Clapham Common Southside and followed it to Wimbledon, south-west London. None of the young men were wearing crash helmets.

Police officers in motor vehicles were informed of the presence of the moped and its route and the use of a ‘stinger’ device was authorised to stop the moped.

At 2.13am, a collision occurred between the moped and a police car, which resulted in the death of one of the young men and injuries to two more.

Our investigators obtained witness statements, logs and other documents from police officers in the helicopter, in the vehicles involved in the incident and in the MPS Command and Control Centre. We carried out a witness appeal and interviewed members of the public.

We secured camera footage from the helicopter, police vehicles and CCTV from several local authorities, along with audio recordings of police radio transmissions. Our investigators analysed medical evidence, as well as evidence from vehicle and scene examination, maps and photographs, along with a detailed report by an expert collision investigator.

Evidence suggested that police drivers and control room staff continually assessed the appropriateness of the distance between the police vehicles and the moped, and that the actions and decisions of MPS officers and staff were reasonable in the circumstances, and in keeping with policy, procedure and legislation. We found no evidence that the presence of police vehicles affected the way in which the moped was being ridden. After the collision, officers did all they could to provide first aid while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

Based on the evidence available we found no indication that any person serving with the police may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings, or had committed a criminal offence. We completed our investigation in July 2018.